10 places to go in January

For warm weather destinations in January, soak up the sun on our Maldives dhoni cruise. You’ll have just missed the wet season, as January marks the start of the dry season - expect warm, pleasant temperatures of around 30°C to 32°C. Relaxation is on the agenda here with a much slower pace of exploration; each day will be spent sailing to a different island, before anchoring up for snorkelling, swimming and meeting local island residents. The small but lively village of Dhiggaru will also treat you to a performance of Bodu Beru, the traditional folk music of the Maldives.

Costa Rica is one of the best countries to visit in January, as the summer runs between December to April. There’s no shortage of things to do in Costa Rica in January - on our Costa Rica Wildlife Tour, you’ll observe striking birds and amusing monkeys, in between thrilling activities like white water rafting and zip lining. You’ll also indulge in one of Central America’s greatest treats: chocolate! After a short forest hike, you’ll learn all about the process of turning cacao fruit into everyone’s favourite sweet.

Our Cycle Mexico tour is an ideal option for couples looking January travel destinations, as you’ll cherish time spent cruising past sandy beaches and taking in magnificent ancient Mayan ruins. Rainfall is at a minimum and temperatures are at their coolest in January, making for pleasantly warm days in some of Mexico’s best cities, including Playa del Carmen and Merida. Another worthwhile ride sees you cycle from Progresso to Telchac, where you’ll cross coastal lagoons and spot an array of wildlife.

While you may encounter more wet weather during January in Cusco, you’ll experience fewer crowds than during the summer period. Make the most of this quiet season as you walk the iconic Inca Trail, soaking up the scenery of the Andes Mountains before reaching one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - Machu Picchu. With some challenging treks during this Peru small group tour, it’s a bucket-list worthy adventure you’ll never forget.

January is peak time to visit Antarctica as the weather is fair and there is nearly 24 hours of daylight. This typically allows for good access to the designated landing sites that you're allowed to visit by Zodiac boat from your ship - you can walk amongst penguin colonies and visit historic sites such as expeditioners' huts. The main reason to visit Antarctica in January has to be penguins! This is when penguin chicks are at their fluffiest and cutest, so if you want to see baby penguins, January is the best time to  visit.

On our Ross Sea Odyssey - Douglas Mawson expedition, you'll likely spot Adelie, emperor and yellow-eyed penguins. You should also see plenty of Weddell and leopard seals, and migrating whales including orcas; humpbacks start arriving from January, too.